I live just around the corner from the best fish and chip restaurant in Brighton, bar none – Bardsley’s of Baker Street, established in 1926. This fourth generation fish fryers is a real local gem, partly on account of its location, just off London Road, away from the other fish and chip shops on the seafront. A saunter off the main tourist drag is well worth the trip.

All of the fish is sustainably sourced, and in addition to the classic choices of cod or haddock, the daily specials include calamari, king prawns, scallops and skate. As well as the high quality of the fish, it has to be the dessert menu which really sets Bardsley’s apart from the competition. I love the homemade lemon meringue ice cream cake, and there’s also a fantastic selection of ice cream and sorbet from a local farm.

After a slap-up fish supper at Bardsley’s it’s also worth seeing what’s on at Duke of York’s – Brighton’s independent Picturehouse, just a few minutes walk from Baker Street in Preston Circus. There’s a lovely bar in the cinema which happens to serve my favourite nostalgia-evoking Fentimans. A film and a drink is just the ticket after a trip to Bardsley’s, but with such generous fish and chip portions, not to mention the obligatory mushy peas, a bucket of popcorn is definitely not required.

Photo courtesy of Dominic’s pics on Flickr